I love a gallery wall. I shall one day enjoy one complete with a striped settee- totally going to copy this look.

Happy Weekend dear readers! I hope you have an excellent Labor Day as we officially kiss summer goodbye. Arrivederci summertime- ’til next year. I hope you have some fun plans. No biggies over here, just hangin’ round.

So… among more important things that occurred this past week, this happened:

I had to google the word “twerk”.

I endured a 7 hour bus ride to NYC (should have been 4.5). I know, whoa is me, right- 1st world problems- but when you get into the wine industry because you have a good “nose”, there is inevitably a downside. This said bus was wafting with an intense bouquet of ripe b.o. Yes you read that right. Having an acute olfactory system is awesome when you’re sniffing the good stuff but man oh man, I wish I could turn this thing off when things go wrong.

I caught up with my fabulous and dear friend Cristy and we stayed up talking way past my bedtime.

My kiddos are just getting funnier by the minute- it’s awesome.

I played charades with mom and brother via text. I did. And I guessed the clue with only a few characters. It’s a new world, folks.

Matt Damon comes to Ben Affleck’s rescue, “You know, he’s not playing King Lear. It’s Batman!”. Nice. What are you trying to say Damon? Affleck can’t do Lear? Ha. I personally think Ben will be a stellar Batman and loved Patton Oswalt’s thoughts.

“I’m the King of the Barbarians!” Tortured though he may be, Mike Tyson never disappoints with an amazing sound bite.

And as always, a little link love:

1. Support our dear friend Super Maeve by sporting one of these cute tees in her honor. Her inspiring parents are hoping to raise awareness for children’s cancer with this project. Maeve is the most amazing two year-old bravely fighting a rare form of cancer and kicking its butt. All hail Super Maeve!

2. Twerk Schmerk-this guy can take Miley any day with his mad Vogue-ing skills.

3. This is just fantastic!

4. I love Caitlin MacGauley’s illustrations. I just bought this leopard print for my desk.

5. And then saw this photo with my envelope in her bike basket via her instagram account- what a weird world.

6. I can’t wait to read this. Marilyn Hagerty’s book on food in America with a foreword by Anthony Bourdain. You probably recognize the 87 year-old Hagerty from her numerous tv appearances when her review of an Olive Garden restaurant went viral. Her earnest review started a snarkfest and Bourdain quickly rushed to her defense. In the foreword he writes that, “this book kills snark dead”. I like it.

7. On the flip side, I’m psyched about all of the chic-chic fall restaurant openings – especially Contra and Ivan Ramen in NYC (and if I still lived in Hell’s Kitchen I’d be psyched about Gotham West Market), Shoo-Fly in Baltimore and Maketto in DC.

And… this is silly and worth a few minutes: Sh*t Southern Women Say– this sh*t is funny- these gals are great.

{Images: Jenny Komenda Little Green Notebook, Nowness, Caitlin McGauley}

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Can we talk about Sylvie Guillem. What a badass. I absolutely love her, always have. One of the world’s greatest dancers, no one can move like Sylvie.

In rehearsal with Laurent Hilaire in William Forsythe’s “in the middle somewhat elevated“.

If you have never seen this pas de deux, please do yourself a favor and watch. In my opinion, one of the best works ever created. Words cannot describe the sheer coolness of this piece. To be blunt, it’s just cool as shit.

Sylvie is a French ballet and contemporary dancer. She was a principal dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet throughout the 80s and then a principal guest artist with the Royal Ballet of London. She continues to wow audiences and is currently an artistic director at Sadler Wells Theater in London. I’m constantly inspired by her. Also a talented photographer, the photo at the tope of the page is a self-portrait for French Vogue 2004. Truly one of the coolest.

{Image: Sylvie Guillem, rehearsal image: source unknown}

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Ok guys, this one comes from our resident Clever Girl, Natalia Goldman. A jack of all trades, this chica is momma to four, surgeon, and creative craft and cook extraordinaire.

This is an imprecise recipe- just the way I like ’em. No exact proportions here, just make according to taste. Isn’t this the way most of us cook anyway?

Natalia gives her kids little tasks when cooking or creating. Breaking up the walnut pieces or crumbling the pecorino would be a great sous chef duty for your little ones.

For a little foray into fall, break out the figs for this scrumptious salted salad.

What You Need: 
1 bunch of Kale (chopped fine)
Figs (halved or quartered)
Walnuts (chipped into bite size pieces)
Sea Salt
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Pecorino (crumbled)
Lemon Juice (squeeze from one lemon)

What You Do:
1. Pour your chopped kale into a big bowl.
2. Add olive oil, salt and lemon juice to taste.
3. Massage juices and salt into your kale and let sit. (this makes it less bitter)
4. Add in walnuts and figs.
5. Mix in your pecorino.
6. Add a bit of apple cider vinegar to taste.

Voilá! Easy peasy and so healthy.
P.S.: Did you ever think you’d be massaging your kale? I love it. Thanks Natalia!

My pairing:
Since we’re still on the heels of fall, I’m pairing this with a tasty Bandol rosé- Domaine de Terrebrune.
For me, it doesn’t get better than a Bandol. Tavels are usually always reliable but there is something special and a bit spicy about a Bandol. Terrebrune is one of the best, imported by Kermit Lynch (of course), and available at Zachy’s for $17.99/bottle– a deal.

The Contributor:

{Image: Natalia Goldman}

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It’s always the little things that make a big difference in an ordinary day. I recently wrote about the pretty flowers my neighbor left me for my birthday on my doorstep- simple, pretty wild flowers in a tiny mason jar- totally made my day.

Seven Simple Things you can do to brighten up your routine:

1. Put your makeup brushes in a pretty used candle votive.
It just looks nice and doesn’t cost you anything- even better.

2. Hang a pretty print or inspiring photo next to your dressing area or at your workspace. 
I spied this suggestion via Cupcakes and Cashmere. I love these baby animal prints by Sharon Montrose. They have been all over Pinterest forever and still bring a smile to my face.

3. Find a bench and take a seat.
Make a point to take a walk and sit down for at least 10 minutes without your IPhone in hand. No instagramming, no texting, no pinning, no facebooking and tweeting allowed- it’s a tall order, right. Just sit and look at your pretty neighborhood or town for a few minutes, take the time to people watch and take in a few minutes of fresh air. This one is hard for me to do but I’m so happy when I do- it’s my mini version of meditation and especially good when the kiddos have fallen asleep in the stroller.

4. Pour yourself a glass of bubbly before dinner.
I opt for Cremant because it’s delicious and inexpensive for bubbly. I am partial to Trader Joe’s Blason de Bourgogne Cremant Rosé because it’s good and about $8. I little bubbly always gives you a little lift especially at the end of the day, no?

5. Send an old school handwritten note.
It doesn’t have to be a long one. It can just say hi, I miss you. Your pal will so appreciate it, I love these. I almost never do this but it’s so easy.

6. Bake cookies for a friend.
Just because. Who doesn’t like a plate of freshly baked cookies? I am digging these salted dark chocolate chip walnut cookies that I recently baked and posted in a chipwich version. The cookies alone are ridiculous- seriously the best damn cookies I have ever made (or eaten for that matter- commence pat on the back). Your friend will LOVE them. I know you may be sighing like “who has time to bake cookies”- but these only take about 30 minutes max.

7. Pick up some sunflowers at your local farmer’s market. 
I almost never do this as I consider it kind of an extravagance, I’m not sure why as they’re pretty cheap, but it really makes me happy when I have them on my dining table.

{Images: Vanity Space: Cupcakes and Cashmere, Bubbly: EscapadeBlog, Cookie: Kelsey Zahn}

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I’ve stumbled upon my newest favorite illustrator- Michelle Morin. I love her modern and whimsical take on botanicals and creatures. You can snag a 16×20 print for $60. Not bad. Throw that puppy in a simple Ikea frame and you’ve got yourself some affordable art.  Smaller prints and originals are available too.

I love the almost fauvist botanicals with the zebras. So pretty.

How great would this jellyfish be in a bathroom. I love this deep sea mash up as well (below) complete with that ubiquitous hipster mascot of the sea- the Narwal.
I can imagine staring at this for hours as a kid, memorizing every creature and making up stories for all of them.

I’m a fan.
Michelle Morin etsy shop

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Back to School- I know lots of your littles headed back this past week. Seeing all the cute pics on Facebook, it brought back so many memories all of those first days back. Who will be in my classes, who will I eat lunch with, where will my locker be and what the heck do I wear- don’t we all wish we could have rocked the Stephanie Zinone look on our first day back. It doesn’t get much cooler than Michelle Pfeiffer as the Pink Lady singing Cool Rider (above)- bad. ass.

I hope you’re off to a fun-filled weekend. No big plans over here- just some swim time at the town pool and parks and playgrounds.

A little link love:

This week is a little shelter-centric. In my mind, I’m concocting my dream house. It may be a while before we see our dream home, but that’s ok- it’s fun just finding inspiration.

1. 26 Reasons Grease 2 is better than Grease. Basically, no one’s cooler than Stephanie Zinone. I just love how she doesn’t want no ordinary guy coming on strong with her. I know every single frame, word and lyric of this movie- it’s genius. Say what you will about the sequel, but for me Grease 2 reigns supreme.

3. This is an easy DIY entryway via Glitter Guide’s Instagram feed. The desk could be a thrifty find punched up with simple brass hardware. Target used to sell these cute little coral x benches but you can still get these for $79 and give them this makeover via Style Me Pretty Living- sounds pretty easy and Kelly-proof (I’m not the greatest DIYer).

4. I had to pick this up. A super cute color block denim dress with pockets and an exposed zipper in back. $59, cute and it hides my post-baby tummy that will not mind its owner and hibernate already.

5. Anna Wintour makes her debut appearance half-veiled by her magazine via Vogue’s instagram account. She’s officially been voguestagrammed. Slow to embrace social media, Wintour is purportedly making her appearance in the name of the infamous September Issue.

6. Georgia O’Keefe reveals her younger self via vintage documentary footage. Cool.

7. I am loving these DIY abstract stained glass plates that Emily Henderson is making for her Fig House project. Are these cool or what!

8. How to cook your carrots stovetop?

{Images: Georgia O’Keefe: Alfred Steiglitz, stained glass: Emily Henderson, carrots: Emily Ho}

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No not that Great White – although those of you that know me might think it blasphemous for me to write about any other Great White than the mighty Carcharodon Carcharius– this one’s a white of the Vitis Vinifera variety:

I have yet to meet a meal that didn’t love this white (red meat and heavy plates aside, it is still August here in swampy Virginia). Made with the quirky, acidic and food-friendly Italian grape, Erbaluce, I’ve been drinking this Italian white from Piedmont with all kinds of lean meats, fish and veggies. It’s awesome with great acidity, zesty citrus and a slightly bitter almond note that really sends it home.

If I were you, I would try it.
’12 Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso “La Rustía”
For the New Yorkers out there, Wine Therapy downtown (a great little wine shop) stocks it for $19.99 and $16.99/case- a deal. I found mine locally at Society Fair here in Alexandria for $18.

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These things taste just like childhood- just a little saltier. Yum.

I tried out a new recipe for the ultimate sea salt dark chocolate chip cookie with walnut bits and I was oh so pleasantly surprised. Dare I say, these are the very best cookies I have ever baked. Double Yum.

I just baked these puppies up then smeared some vanilla bean ice cream between two cookies, dotted the sides with chocolate chips and voilá- childhood revisited.

Salted Dark Chocolate Chipwiches

What You Need:
1. 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2. 1/3 cup coconut sugar
3. 1/3 cup organic sugar
4. 1 egg
5. 1 tsp. vanilla extract
6. 1 1/3 cup flour
7. 1/2 tsp. baking soda
8. 1 tsp. sea salt
9. 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
10. 1/4 cup walnut pieces chopped or broken up
11. sea salt for sprinkling
12. vanilla bean ice cream
13. tiny dark chocolate chips

What You Do:
1. Heat the stick of butter in a small saucepan on medium/high heat until it is bubbling and browning.
2. Stir the flour and baking soda and salt together in a bowl.
3. Blend the sugar and butter in a large bowl adding in the egg and vanilla.
4. Stir in the flour mix until blended together.
5. Add in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
6. Wrap in parchment paper and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop spoon-sized dollops of dough onto sheet.
8. Sprinkle sea salt on top of your cookies.
9. Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
10. Allow to cool.
11. Scoop a serving of ice cream in between two cookies and dot the sides of your chipwich with a few tiny chocolate chips.
12. Serve and Enjoy!

(cookie recipe adapted from Cooking a la Mel)

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Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my favorite foodie blogs and loaded down with the latest mouth-watering food photography to magically appear on my Pinterest page that I forget to savor summer’s simplicity. This goes for every season, but summertime produce is so ripe and juicy that it begs to be separated and enjoyed in its solitary state.

In other words, sometimes you just need to slice a delicious Heirloom tomato fresh from the farmer’s market (those yummy orbs above were found at my local market this past weekend- no filter needed here folks, just nature’s best), drizzle it with olive oil and a generous pinch of sea salt and…enjoy. It’s such a duh that I forget to do it. No recipes, no food styling, just a simple tomato on a plate. Yum.

I drink it up with my new favorite rosé:

Not so much subtle and nuanced like the Provencale rosés I adore so much, but true to its Italian roots, this one’s a lively and juicy match to your tomato’s moxie. It’s inexpensive too. Hey- let’s keep it simple.

Bricco dei Tati Italian Rosé, $9.99

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A veritable field of dreams for classic car geeks, the Lambrecht Chevy dealership is auctioning off their more than 500 classic cars. Yes that’s right. One dealership in Nevada has a collection of over 500 classic cars, mostly Chevys. It’s like stepping into a time warp. They’re calling it the auction of a lifetime- nirvana for car geeks and I do love a geek.

Mildred Lambrecht and son outside their dealership in a ’53 Chevy Corvette

Ray Lambrecht, the owner of the dealership, made a practice of taking a trade-in car and storing it away, a master at selling only new cars. He collected and housed hundreds of cars dating back to just after World War II- talk about a classic car graveyard. Now in their 90s, Mildred and Ray decided it was finally time to unveil and unload their mammoth classic car collection. VanDerBrink Auctions will be holding the auction- details here.

I’d love to pop over and take a peek before they all go to their happy new owners- to see that many classic cars in one space must be a sight to see. The auction is taking place September 28th and 29th, so if you are a car geek, well… you have probably already heard about this and have booked your travel to the Cornhusker state. Pretty cool.

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